Volunteer work a good way to test out career move

Related

Q: I am a professional who is considering moving from the private to public or not-for-profit sector in my career. How do I know this is the right move for me?

***

A: The first question I would ask is: What is it about working in the public or not-for-profit sector that is of interest to me now?

Individuals who are both fulfilled and have success in the public or not-for-profit sectors have a few things in common. They have a strong desire to help, to make a difference in the world. They believe in the public sector system and that working through the channels of government or a not-for-profit organization they can be part of the solution. Is this you?

I once read, if you are a vegetarian do not work for a butcher. If you do not believe in public education, social services, the various regulatory services, public accountability and the like, do not move.

Some other things to consider before making this leap would be to remember that working within the public sector or not-for-profit world typically means you are going to be working within the constraints of lack of funding and resources. Individuals who are creative, entrepreneurial and innovative in their approach to problem solving and who have the ability to build relationships and trust, both within their organization and with their stakeholders, are successful. If you have these characteristics you'll do great.

A good way to test out the not-for-profit world is by getting on a board of directors for an organization you are interested in or volunteering your time in other ways get a feel for the organization.

Linda Hamilton is a master certified life and executive coach and founder of the Solution Focused Coaching Association. Contact her at linda@coachlinda.com

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.